Fifth-generation Florida rancher Marty Smith was elected president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) at the annual Cattle Industry Convention last week, following in the footsteps of his mother Jo Ann Smith, who served as president of the organization in 1985. The Smith family is pictured here with Jo Ann on Marty’s left. “It’s a tremendous honor to lead …
Bayer Makes Innovation and Pipeline Announcements
Bayer made a couple of major pipeline and innovation advancements for the Crop Science Division on Thursday. A new herbicide molecule, “the first new post-emergence mode of action for broad acre weed control in 30 years.” Bayer announced a molecule in Phase 2 of early development which has demonstrated effective control of key resistant grasses in early research. The work …
USDA’s McKinney Optimistic About Ethanol Exports
USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney says he will leave “no stone unturned” in his quest to increase U.S. agricultural exports, including ethanol. McKinney spoke to the Renewable Fuels Association National Ethanol Conference Wednesday about the markets where he sees the most potential for ethanol, including China, Mexico, Brazil, and India. Listen to his remarks: …
43rd President Visits National Ethanol Conference
The Renewable Fuels Association was honored to welcome George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, to the 25th Annual National Ethanol Conference today in Houston. By championing an all-of-the-above approach to domestic energy production while in office, President Bush put the United States on a course toward greater energy security and made an indelible mark on agriculture …
Cattle Industry Welcomes EPA Adminstrator Wheeler
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler got a warm welcome when he addressed the Board of Directors meeting for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Friday and was able to proudly list repeal of the 2015 “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) in the accomplishments his agency has made for farmers and ranchers. “If you didn’t spontaneously applaud at that one I …
The Countdown Begins: 100 Days to ONE
ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference (ONE) returns to Lexington, Kentucky May 17–19 for its 36th year. ONE draws on Alltech’s global reach and business scope to assemble thought-leaders from the agriculture, business, health and wellness, and brewing and distilling sectors. “Science, technology and human ingenuity converge at ONE,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “The topics up …
Florida Ranch Wins Environmental Stewardship Award
Blackbeard’s Ranch in Myakka, FL was named the national winner of the 2019 Environmental Stewardship Award Program this week at the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, in San Antonio, TX. “My family has been in Florida for six generations,” said Blackbeard’s managing partner Jim Strickland. “We’ve always been in the cattle business, and we’ve always taken pride …
NCBA Announces 2020 Beef Quality Assurance Award Winners
Winners of the 2020 Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards were announced this week during the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The awards recognize outstanding beef and dairy producers and marketers who demonstrate high-quality animal care and handling principles and express a strong desire to improve their operations through BQA. 2020 BQA Cow-Calf Award – IX Ranch in …
USDA Announces Hemp Crop Insurance Details
USDA has announced the availability of two programs that protect hemp producers’ crops from natural disasters. A pilot hemp insurance program through Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) provides coverage against loss of yield because of insurable causes of loss for hemp grown for fiber, grain or Cannabidiol (CBD) oil and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage protects against losses …
USDA Secretary Chats with NCBA President
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue sat down with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Jennifer Houston on Wednesday to talk about issues important to the thousands of cattle industry representatives attending the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, in San Antonio, TX. The new trade deal with China and the signing of USMCA were big topics of discussion, …